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After wearing neck-covering knitwear with long chunky necklaces in Winter, I’m ready for lower necklines and short necklaces. It’s refreshing to show some skin for a change and wearing lower necklines instantly sparks off my urge to purchase a fresh set of short chunky beads or eye-catching pendants. Enter Spring update #3 (I described #1 and #2 earlier this week).

I normally wear necklaces that incorporate some form of pearl, but occasionally I step out and sport a pearl-less piece that feels just as fab. This dear little arty glass pendant is a fun addition to my wardrobe. I smiled as soon as I saw it because it mirrors my Spring mood. I replaced its original cheap silver chain with a leather cord to give it a more modern, graphic appeal.

The fun, informal edge of this playful accessory makes my old clothes blossom. At a price point of $15, it’s amazing how it has refreshed my existing smart casual and casual ensembles. Mums-on-the-go I hope you’re listening. An interesting pendant looped through a leather cord is an unfussy addition, but adds an excellent textural dimension to a simple, casual outfit.

Apart from the new necklace, everything I’m wearing is between one and six seasons old (handbags included). I hope that this inspires you to start building your accessory collection. And once you start, remember to actually wear the accessories that you’ve purchased!

I just want to say that I really enjoy the pictures of yourself that you post because I love the way you dress!!!! Goodness, I wish I could learn to to style myself as good as you. Any tips?? Where is the best place to shop?

I’m not completely convinced yet about the leather cord, I think I’ve seen one too many hippie-ish looking leather cords being sold in the ever-present trinket stalls of my Summer mucis festival past;-)

But I do agree with what you are saying about casual necklaces in general, and this pendant makes me smile too!

And such beautiful outfits you’re sporting Angie. I adore the colour combo in the first picture, am positively drooling over that cream blouse in the second one, and love the blue handbag in the third photo.

How inspiring, Angie! I’ve been trying to cut back on clothing shopping for various reasons, and this post has been really insightful. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut with my accessories and don’t try out pieces I even already own. I’ll make it a point to wear a “new” accessory every day this week as my weekly fashion challenge.
You look great in the photos…I love that green on you!

I hear you, Inge. If there is one thing I’m absolutely not, it’s a boho hippie! It’s all about the details (like polish and urban chic), the quality of the leather cord, and the integrity of the pendant itself. I also pop pearl pendants on a leather cord and it works. Perhaps this reasoning will make you see things differently.

Great inspiration! You have also made me rethink leather cords. I have a mother of pearl pendant that I put on a leather cord. I haven’t worn it in a while because of the leather cord but now I realize it just needs the right outfit.

What a great reminder: we should wear the accessories that we buy! I’m embarassed by the number of times I buy accessories, take them home, pack them neatly in my accessories shoe box and forget about them until I’m handing over my credit card to purchase another accessory of choice! Thanks for the great reminder…I’ll be pulling my accessory shoe box out tonight!

You look great in lime green Angie. I’m curious which other colours you think will be the “IT” colours this Spring season.

Angie – I LOVE the oufit in the first pic and realized that I have similar pieces in my wardrobe but never thought to put them together like that! What type of shoes do you wear with that outfit? And I love the pendant – it gives such a happy pop of color to your outfits. And – thanks for the idea of putting a pendant on a leather cord! I think I’ll do that with an oversized peal pendant that’s been collecting dust in my jewelery box for years! Brilliant!!!

Seeing you model your accessories and getting a peek at your outfits is such a treat! I especially love the blouse with the vest and your gorgeous green cowl neck. Like the other commenters, you’ve inspired me to take a new look at the jewelry collection and try a leather cord. Where do you suggest buying a quality leather cord?

And I love LOVE all your outfits. Drooling over the citron cowlneck. And is that a flower pin attached to the belt or part of the belt design? So fun.

For all those who are skeptical about leather cords: I bought a necklace with a leather cord last fall (with a red/black pendant) and just like Angie there is no hippie/boho side to my style whatsoever. Try it! I got mine at Chicos, it’s a good place to shop for affordable accessories (even if you don’t buy clothes there.)

Angie – thanks for the awesome photos…It is so helpful to actually SEE your fab outfits. I also would love to know what shoes you had on with each outfit. I am still having a hard time carrying a purse that doesn’t MATCH my shoes!!!

I am rather new to your blog, so maybe this is something you have covered before, but I am interested in your turned up collar on your blouses…when is it appropriate to flip your collar up like in the first and second photo? I have such a hard time with that – I feel like I am back in the polo shirt/preppie days. But on you, with that cardigan, belt, etc it looks so great.

3. Outfit three – black knee-high 20 eyelet Dr. Martens (you know I can walk in these for hours as well).

The quality of the leather cord is important. You’re after one that is cylindrical and not flat because the cylindrical ones look more substantial and polished. They also don’t fray. I like black cords because they look modern and retro. The colours look juvenile, and brown is boho which is not a persona that I personally convey. But brown cords will work if you have boho element to your style. You’ll find leather cords at necklace stores and bead stores for between $3-$5.

RSRP, I can have a lot more fun with handbags than I can with shoes, and I take FULL advantage of that. Thanks for the compliment. I have been collecting statement handbags for years and I am hopelessly devoted to each and every one, some of them expensive and some them cheap as chips.

Antje and Bella, the black skinny belt came with the attached chrysanthemum flower detail. But I’m sure you could be crafty to get a similar effect.

Violet, you wear low necklines well. It’s a YLF order that you start sporting shorter necklaces!

Angie you are brilliant. Each outfit you put together is a fresh surprise. I absolutely love the cream blouse you are wearing in the second picture. I love the color and the light weight fabric. I want one.
Thanks for answering a question I have been wondering about. I like the look of a leather cord but didn’t know if it was acceptable. I need to learn to trust my instincts.
I have seen leather and sateen cords at bead shops. They are nice looking and good quality. Be prepared to go gaga when you go into a bead shop. I am already signed up to take a beading class.

Angie, you definitely know what you are doing! Each outfit is a knockout; you look spectacular in them, too! The cream blouse I also love, love, love! I want you to come to Florida and work on my wardrobe!

I like the leather cord, gives it a more edgy look. I have a similar colored Venetian glass pendant (picked up in Murano!) with a leather cord that I love; it never fails to garner complements because of its uniqueness.

Angie, what do you think of the statement bib necklaces? Are they a passing fad? Are they worth a little splurge if it elevates the outfit? I don’t intend to spend as much as this one($175!), but I saw a sales associate wearing this JCrew palm necklace:

with a coral skirt & a simple white tee and I a was amazed at how this necklace just elevated the whole ensemble and gave it that finishing touch. It wouldn’t have had the same impact with a smaller single strand necklace or scarf.

I’ve seen similar bubble necklaces at Target & Forever 21… but does it look too fashion victim? I think it could be a fun look, but I haven’t completely sold myself on it just yet. Interested in your thoughts & everyone else’s.

Rest assured Antje and Angie, I’m not discarding this option just yet.
In fact I forgot to mention this before, but I think you look extremely polished in these pictures Angie, so now I know it can be done without looking boho (if that’s what one’s after of course – I love a boho-look on other people, it’s just not my personal style).

Antje: do post a picture of you wearing the necklace, I’m quite curious now;-)

I like the idea of this a lot, especially since there is lots of contrast between your coloring and the black cord. I’ll have to pass since it’s leather, though I’m sure there are some non-leather alternatives. I am starting to get the impression that I need to rotate accessories or else I get bored. I always wear a necklace of some sort because I feel like I need to full in the empty space my low-neck tops leave, but since cutting my hair, I also have developed an interest in earrings, and I can’t do both at once.

I can’t quite tell what the collar detail is on the second picture, but I am very fond of it. See, today I am focused on you because there are no doggies in the pictures

Love your new pendant and the belt with the flower on it. Your outfits are always inspiring. Thank you for sharing them with us.

I have a leather cord that originally came with a small pendant that’s not my thing any more, so I re-purposed it and strung a brooch on it. I have also used the same brooch on a pearl necklace after someone on the forum suggested it. I’m sorry I don’t remember who it was so I could give proper credit, but the idea was brilliant.

Angie – Love it, love it, love it (when we get to see you in outfits)!!

I have been printing out your photos, choosing the ones that I have most items in my closet already and then making color changes. I am a visual learner and your pics are soooooooooooooooooooo helpful.

Never mind the necklace, which is really cute, and it certainly adds to the outfits. What I truly love on the pictures is your black shirt – green cardi combo. I love it, I can’t say it enough. I am totally going to copy that look.
All 3 outfits are great, and I love that you paired them with jeans and jean skirt.

The pendant reminds me of these glass pendants I got in Rijeka, Croatia. A local artist makes them in beautiful colors in shapes of fish, elephants or lady bugs. They made perfect gifts for my friends.

Another visual learner here. Angie, thanks so much for sharing your pics, it’s such a treat to see how you combine different items and build beautifully polished outfits. For example, it never occurred to me to pair black with light green – it looks terrific. It’s also very helpful to see your waistcoat outfit. I have a similar blouse – I’m still on the lookout for a lighter waistcoat.

Hee, I already have a lovely multi-colored Malta glass pendant. It came on a round leather cord, which I’m not used to wearing. It seemed weird to me. I’m glad to hear you approve.

Love love love. LOVE! Sorry to add to the pile of questions, but WHERE did you get that amazing chartreuse cowl-neck knit on the bottom left? I am in a serious rapture of envy over here. It’s the kind of gorgeous, eye-catching piece I’m guessing is a few seasons ago.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you posting your own outfits recently. It’s so helpful to see you illustrate concepts you’ve been advising us to try out! The visual is great and gives me something to aim for.

Francesca, bib necklaces are fabulous if you’re prepared to make a huge statement. They are not dated at all. I’d wear something like that with faded jeans – GREAT contrast.

SusanD, I have a long neck and very short hair. This combination works well with a turned up collar, both for casual and dressy occasions. I actually always turn my collars up (on jackets too). It’s part of my style I guess. I’ve been doing it since the 80’s and never stopped doing it!

Donna, I love your creativity. Julia was the forum member who stuck a brooch onto a pearl necklace so credit goes to her.

Great post! Love the pictures!! When you were shopping for that leather cord, I never imagined it was for yourself (it seemed so un-Angie) but it’s great and totally works with the adorable pendant. I think because it’s shiny leather, not cowhide-ish. I’ve missed seeing your green Michael Kors bag. All those yummy citrus colors make me want to go eat a lime popsicle or jollyrancher… or maybe key lime pie. Oh no, I don’t think your blog is supposed to be making me hungry.

Wow, what an inspiring post Angie! The necklace idea is great, I have a turquoise venetian glass hearth pendant that I will try to make work this way. And seeing your outfits is so great! You aways give me so many great ideas.

Thanks for chiming in, Tanya. I know that this colour palette isn’t your cup of tea, but I’m happy to have gotten your creative juices flowing. Can’t wait to see your Venetian turquoise pendant sported on a leather cord. This might be one way of adding a casual element back into your style.

I like that leather cord idea! I have a bunch of pendants and brooches that I have not worn in years–maybe I can get them to work this way. I have also always associated leather cords with the boho look, but you have shown that they can look very sophisticated.

I am drooling over that lime green cowl neck! I want one in a tunic length!

Love how you put your ensembles together and especially like the black belt. Accessories can change the look of an outfit. Try it. Wear a new jewelry with the same outfit you’ve worn before, and I will presume people will think you’ve gone shopping for new clothes. This has happened to me more than a few times.

I personally like the idea of casual necklaces. I find my customers want something “lighter” for spring and summer and I’m offering metal necklaces as well as colorful knotted necklaces. You have shown how elegant a leather corded necklace can look, I also believe its what you wear it with and how you wear it, that makes a difference.

This necklace looks great for someone like me who lives in a HOT climate and any accessory feels like too much. i don’t think even this would last all day on me though! it stays between 95 & 100 degrees here!